Trio of teens accused of beating, robbery

Three teens are accused of beating and robbing a fourth teen on Eau Claire’s south side.

Brooke D. Ross, 18, S8430 Thrush Drive, Austen S. Sahm-Mercer, 18, 714 Division St., and Jalani M. Thomas, 19, of Madison were each charged Tuesday in Eau Claire County Court with felony counts of robbery with use of force and physical abuse of a child and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Sahm-Mercer and Thomas are also charged with a felony and misdemeanor count of bail jumping, respectively.

Sahm-Mercer made his initial court appearance on Tuesday.

Ross is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Jan. 12. A warrant was issued for Thomas’ arrest.

According to the criminal complaint:

A 17-year-old male told police he was jumped by Sahm-Mercer, Thomas and Ross on Eau Claire’s south side at 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 13.

The teen said the trio beat him up and left in a vehicle.

The teen said he was at his sister’s friend’s apartment on Richard Drive when his sister opened the door and let the trio inside.

Sahm-Mercer, Thomas and Ross then came after him.

The teen said he jumped off the balcony to escape but the trio caught him in the yard and started a fight.

All three either hit or kicked the teen. He had a swollen left eye and cheek, and scrapes and cuts.

The trio took his backpack, which contained clothing and his wallet with $200.

Sahm-Mercer was arrested Dec. 1 and did not want to talk about the case.

At the time of the incident, Sahm-Mercer and Thomas were free on signature bonds for Eau Claire County court cases that prohibited them from committing new crimes.

If convicted of the felony charges, Sahm-Mercer, Thomas and Ross could each be sentenced to up to 13 years in prison.